The Anaphylaxis Campaign is a UK-wide registered charity launched
in January 1994 following the death of the teenage daughter
of the Campaign's Director. Sarah Reading suffered anaphylaxis
after eating a slice of lemon meringue pie in the restaurant
of a well-known chain store. The dessert contained crushed
peanut, to which Sarah was fatally allergic.
The Campaign was founded
to raise awareness of anaphylaxis, to provide support and
guidance to those affected and to campaign for better allergy
services and improved food labelling.
The Campaign now has over 7,600 members, but prominent allergists
are confident that this is just the tip of the iceberg and
that up to one million people could be affected by severe
allergies. Severe allergy is on the increase. It is estimated
that one in 70 children is allergic to peanuts (an increase
from one in 200 in 1993). A significant number of people are
severely allergic to other foods and substances.
What is anaphylaxis?
People at risk of severe allergic reactions can suffer
anaphylaxis, in which the blood pressure falls dramatically
and the breathing is restricted. The small number
of people who die each year are usually those who
are not carrying prescribed medication. Adrenaline
injections can be prescribed to those at risk, but
not everyone with an allergy carries one.
The Campaign provides information and support to those affected by severe allergies through the following channels:
• Telephone helpline providing up to date advice on any queries about allergies: 01252 542029
• Website – www.anaphylaxis.org.uk
• A range of literature, books and videos
Specific membership benefits include:
• Regular newsletters (3 times a year) and factsheets packed with information about food labelling and food safety, medical developments (e.g proposed vaccines) and practical guidance on living with a severe allergy
• Product alert bulletins sent to warn about inadequately labelled food – during 2005 we sent out 30 bulletins to our members
• The opportunity to attend workshops and other events providing support to those affected by anaphylaxis to help them understand and manage the risks associated with having a life threatening allergy
• The Campaign's corporate membership service provides food companies with regular information about allergy and its effects on food companies and their customers.
• Information is provided to schools and health professionals to enable them to support those with severe allergies
• The Campaign is an active member of the National Allergy Strategy Group formed to campaign for better access to effective, patient-centred allergy services
Your contribution will allow us to continue helping people
with life threatening allergies, providing information and
support and encouraging manufacturers, caterers, food retailers
and the medical profession to improve their services to
those affected.
The Anaphylaxis Campaign is a registered
charity no: 1085527
